Top Online MBA Programs: Northeastern University’s Online MBA

Northeastern University’s Online MBA at the D’Amore-McKim School of Business

No orientation. No weekend retreats. No global or domestic immersion trips.

In short, this is one of the few top online programs where there are no scheduled or required face-to-face meetings. Instead, all of the coursework over the 24 to 27 months of the program are via Internet. And also unlike other top programs, Northeastern does not require a GMAT score  unless you have less than five years of work experience.

The school groups students into small groups, or cohorts, of 12 to 15 other students with which they progress through the program. Because the virtual class size is so small, the school says that you will receive individual attention from faculty and small group instructors who act as the liaison between students and faculty. According to Northeastern, the small group instructors are “provide support and coaching at a personalized level that is difficult to obtain in other MBA programs.”

There are 17 courses in the program for a total of 50 credits. Each course lasts between three and seven weeks, and students only take one course at a time so that they can place their complete focus on one subject area while building on the knowledge they obtained from previous courses. Some 12 courses are used up by the core courses while the remaining courses are electives that can lead to one of eight specializations. On average, most students spend 15 to 20 hours each week studying, participating in the online class discussions, and collaborating on discussion boards as well as working on team projects and preparing individual assignments.

The admissions committee looks for applicants with at least five (5) years of professional work experience. The coursework can be completed in 24 to 27 months depending on the start date. There are approximately nine courses per year.

The school says the diploma you earn from the online program will be the same as all MBA diplomas from Northeastern University.

Northeastern University also offers students the opportunity to earn a Dual Master of Science in Finance/MBA by taking as few as four courses beyond the MBA.

SPECIALIZATIONS: Finance, healthcare management, high technology management, innovation & entrepreneurship, international management, marketing, operations & supply chain management, and sustanability.

FORMAT: No face-to-face sessions. All printed materials and text books are conveniently delivered to your home before each course begins. Online learning resources such as the online library and resource center are available from your desktop 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Many students report that using the online library is easier and more convenient than visiting a traditional brick-and-mortar library. The program is based on an innovative, asynchronous model that allows you to continue working while you study.

COST: $69,250

START DATES: Nine start dates

TIME TO COMPLETE: 24 to 27 months

RANKINGS: In U.S. News & World Report’s debut ranking of online MBA programs in 2013, the Northeastern program was not ranked.